Jerry Bailey said he feels those in attendance at Monmouth Park on Sunday for the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational will be seeing a star in the filly Untapable.

“She, in my mind, going through the spring, she might have been the best 3-year-old in the country,” said Bailey, the retired Hall of Fame Jockey Tuesday on the NTRA Communications National Media Teleconference.

Bailey said while California Chrome (who is currently resting for a fall campaign after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness) was among the top 3-year-olds this season, Untapable was among other horses considered to have performed well this year.

“Not to diminish what California Chrome has done, but (Untapable) was arguably in that conversation.”

Bailey will be at Monmouth Park on Sunday for the Haskell in his role as an analyst for NBC Sports. He said he thinks Untapable’s eight male opponents could be up against it.

“Even if the race didn’t set up for her, which it does, I would still like her chances,” Bailey said.

Untapable – who will be travel to Monmouth Park from Saratoga on Thursday morning – will be attempting to become the third filly to win the Haskell in its 47-year history.

A daughter of Tapit, Untapable is 4-for-4 this year, including victories in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 2 and the Grade I Mother Goose at Belmont Park on June 28. Her wins this year have been by a combined 31 lengths.

“She is one of the top three 3-year-olds in the country at the very least,” Bailey said.

Any time a filly runs against colts, it is a dramatic story.

Rachel Alexandra, who was trained by Untapable’s trainer Steve Asmussen, certainly created a buzz in 2009 when she ran against and beat colts three times, including a spectacular six-length win in the Haskell.

Serena’s Song, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, created a similar buzz when she ran in and won the Haskell in 1995.

Many believe fillies are at a disadvantage physically when they run against colts.

Both Bailey and Christophe Clement (the trainer of Belmont Stakes winner Tonalis, who will run in the Jim Dandy Saturday at Saratoga) do not believe that is the case.

“There is obviously some instances when they’re not mature enough to do that (run against the colts),” said Bailey about fillies running against colts. “But, if you get a special horse, whether it be male or female, they’re just good. (Untapable) happens to be special. Her running style is very adapable. Steve Asmussen has done a great job with her.”

“The better fillies, when they are that good, they can compete anywhere,” said Clement during an NTRA conference call.

Both Bailey and Clement, who is from Paris, said it is more commonplace to see fillies run against colts in Europe.

Clement said the reason it might not be done as often in this country is because there is an established program for fillies of all age groups. He said there are instances where it is the correct move to run a filly against colts.

“Why not, if they are good enough? It’s great for the sport,” Clement said. “I’m sure the fact the filly is running this weekend in the Haskell will be a very popular move.”

Bailey said he also thinks anytime a filly runs against the colts, it creates additional attention for racing.

“I think it should be done more. I think it’s exciting,” Bailey said. “I think they belong in races (against colts) a lot more often (than) they are actually entered into them.”

After Bayern worked five furlongs in :59 1/5 Monday morning over Del Mar’s polytrack surface day morning, Baffert confirmed Bayern will run in the Haskell.

Jockey Martin Garcia, who was aboard for the workout, will ride Bayern, Baffert said.

Garcia replaces Gary Stevens, who rode Bayern when he impressively won the seven furlong Woody Stephens by 7 1/2 lengths at Belmont Park on Belmont Stakes Day. Stevens is currently sidelined with a knee injury and will undergo knee surgery.

Baffert has won the Haskell a record six times, including three straight from 2010-2012.

Garcia won the Haskell with Lookin at Lucky in 2010 and Coil in 2011. A win on Sunday would tie with Craig Perret for most Haskell wins by a jockey.